Invalid chair

ABSTRACT

An invalid chair is disclosed which includes first and second frames between which is removably supported a seat assembly which is longitudinally slidable with respect to the side frames. The chair further includes a table tray which can be moved between a noninterfering or storage position with respect to bodily access to the seat, and a tablelike position by merely aligning a single arm fixed to the table with a a passageway within one of the chair arm rests. Additionally, a foot rest is slidably disposed beneath the seat assembly and movable between a storage position and a forward foot rest, where it is adapted to support an ottoman having bifurcated legs.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Charles E. Murcott Huntington, N.Y.{21] Appl. No. 797,753 [22] Filed Feb. 10, 1969 [45] Patented May 25,1971 [73] Assignee Lumex Inc.

Bay Shore, N.Y.

[54] INVALID CHAIR 16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. CI 297/155, 297/ 153 [51] Int. Cl A47c 39/00 [50] Field ofSearch 297/438, 428, 429,433, 153, 149, 155

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,548 5/1949 Connelly297/155X 2,746,527 5/1956 Liebich 297/438 2,900,011 8/1959 Casey297/155X 2,984,291 5/1961 Kostenboeder et al. 297/153X 3,325,215 6/1967Murcott 29'7/433 Primary Examiner.lames T. McCall Attorney-Edward H.Loveman ABSTRACT: An invalid chair is disclosed which includes first andsecond frames between which is removably supported a seat assembly whichis longitudinally slidable with respect to the side frames. The chairfurther includes a table tray which can be moved between anoninterfering or storage position with respect to bodily access to theseat, and a tablelike position by merely aligning a single arm fixed tothe table with a a passageway within one of the chair arm rests.Additionally, a foot rest is slidably disposed beneath the seat assemblyand movable between a storage position and a forward foot rest, where itis adapted to support an ottoman having bifurcated legs.

PATENTEUMAYZSIBYI 3580.631 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR. CHARLES E. MURCOTTATTORNEY PATENTED HAY25 IQYI SHEET 2 [1F 2 INVENT CHARLES E. MURESTTATTORNEY INVALID CHAIR This invention relates to chairs and moreparticularly to an invalid chair of the type which combines a table trayand footrest elements.

In US. Pat. No. 3,l23,397, issued Mar. 3, 1964, in the name of theinstant inventor, there is described a combined chair, table, andfootrest structure suitable for convalescing patients or the like. Asset forth in this patent, the chair includes a pair of swingableU-shaped table supporting members, one arm of each member being adaptedto be inserted into separate supporting tubes when the table is placedbefore the occupant seated in the chair. However, the simultaneousalignment of two moveable arms with their respective supporting tubeshas proved at times to be somewhat difficult. Moreover, chairs of thetype described in the aforementioned patent have no provisions foradjusting the position of the seat in accordance with the desires of theuser thereof.

Accordingly, prior to the instant invention, manufacturers have not beenable to economically produce an invalid chair of simple knockdownconstruction, which eliminates the problems inherent in the abovementioned table tray construction, and also incorporates an adjustableseat.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isprovided an invalid chair having a table tray stored on one side of thechair when not in use and adapted to be easily positioned before anoccupant in the chair by the occupant or by one not occupying the chairby merely aligning a single tube rigidly fastened to the table tray witha passageway within one armrest of the chair. The chair further includesa seat assembly which is longitudinally slideable relative to the sideframes of the chair to permit an occupant thereof to change his positionwith respect to the back of the chair. As another feature, the chairhereof is supplemented by the addition of an ottoman which is removablyconnected to a chair footrest assembly by means of bifurcated legs whichdepend from the ottoman cushion.

Finally, and as pointed out above, the chair hereof, including itsvarious features, is economically constructed in a knock-down mannerwhich also facilitates manufacturing and shipping.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide achair, preferably an invalid chair, which is mechanically simple, ofknock-down construction, and which includes a plurality of featuresdesirable and indeed necessary for the comfort of a patient confined tosuch a chair.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a chair of thetype described above which includes a table tray movable between a firstnoninterfering position with respect to bodily access to the seat ofsuch chair, and a second tablelike functional position which can beutilized for eating, writing,

etc.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide such a chair witha footrest assembly which further includes an ottoman removablyconnected to the aforementioned footrest assembly.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes butterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a chair constructed in accordancewith the principles of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the chair of FIG. I in its assembledcondition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the manner in whichthe table tray of the instant invention cooperates with a side framemember thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic Figure illustrating the manner in whichthe table tray of the instant invention may be rotated between itsfirst, noninterfering position, and its second functional position.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the figures thereof,

there is shown in FIG. 1 an invalid chair 10 which broadly speakingincludes a first side frame assembly 12 and a second side frame assembly14 between which is removably secured a seat assembly 16 and a backportion 18. The assemblies 12 and 14 are similar, and each include agenerally L-shaped rectangular, tubular member 20 on the upper legs ofwhich are secured armrests 22; a front upright rectangular, tubularmember 24; and a second generally L-shaped member 26 secured at one end28 to the member 20 and at the opposite end 30 thereof to the frontupright member 24. Each of the members 26 includes a pair of protrudingstub tubes 32 adapted to slide within a respective pair of bars 36, 37attached to the seat assembly 16 to thereby join the seat assembly toside frames 12 and 14. The stub tube 32 may be secured to bars 36 and 37by fasteners 34. The members 26 further include a pair of apertures 38by which fastening means such as bolts (not shown) may be passed to jointhe back 18 to the side frames 12 and 14.

Additionally, each of the side frames 12 and 14 include a lowerrectangular hollow tube 40 which by virtue of being secured at oppositeends respectively to the members 20 and 24 add rigidity to the sideframes 12 and 14. Additionally, each tube40 receives one of a pair ofrigid bars 46 and 48 of a footrest assembly generally designated asreference numeral 42 in FIG. 1. Finally, the side frames 12 and 14include wheels or casters 44 disposed at the lower end of the members 20and 24 by which the entire chair I0 is easily movable.

The footrest assembly 42, as fully described in my patent 3,325,215issued June 14, 1967, is comprised of the pair of tubular rigid bars 46and 48 which has secured thereto and depending therefrom a U-shapedframe member 54 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A footrest platform 56 ispivotally rotatable about frame member 54 by a pair of brackets 58secured to the undersurface of the platform 56 and secured thereto bymeans of suitable fastening means 60. The undersurface of the footplatform 56 is additionally provided with a pair of depending brackets62 which sandwich a generally Ushaped rod member 66 pivotally mounted onframe member 54 as clearly described in my above-mentioned patent.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and suggested in FIG. 1, the rigid bars 46 and48 of the footrest assembly 42 are telescopically received in the hollowtubes 40 provided on the side frames 12 and 14 whereby the footrestassembly may be conveniently moved between a nonuse storage position(relatively under the seat assembly 16) to a functional footrestposition of FIG. 2.

The instant invention also provides an ottoman assembly generallydesignated as reference numeral 72 which may be used in conjunction withthe footrest assembly 42. Such ottoman assembly 72 includes a cushionportion 74 from which depends a plurality of legs 76 each of whichterminates in a bifurcated securing member 78 which has an internal opendimension slightly less than the distance between the rigid bars 46 and48 whereby the entire ottoman assembly 72 may be removably secured tothe footrest assembly 42 by means of the frictional force developedbetween the bifurcated members 78 and the rigid bars 46, 48.

As suggested previously, the instant invention provides that the seatassembly 16 shall be longitudinally slidable relative to the side frames12 and 14 to provide a variety of sitting positions for the patient. Tothat end, and as best seen in FIG. 2, the seat assembly 16 includes aseat portion 80 (preferably cushioned as illustrated in FIG. 1) on theundersurface of which is secured a forward pair of channels 50 and arearward pair of channels 51 which are adapted to slide on the bars 36,37 whenever the occupant of the seat 80 desires to shift the position ofthe seat with respect to the back. The forward and rearward movement ofthe seat is limited by a pair of depending generally U-shaped channelbrackets 82 having between their opposite ends a portion 84 whichsandwiches the bars 36, 37 with such portion. Thus, although the bars36, 37 of the frame of the seat assembly 16 are (removably) secured tothe side frames 12 and 14, the seat portion 80 of the seat assembly I6is longitudinally slidable relative to such bars 36, 37 as illustratedby the phantom showing 80. If desired, the bars 36, 37 may be coatedwith a material having a low coefficient of friction, i.e. nylon,silicone, etc.

To prevent lateral movement of the seat portion 80 with respect to thebars 36, 37 additional restraining members such as fasteners 86 aresecured to the bars 36, 37 at each side of the brackets 82 viarespective plate members 81, 83 which are respectively sandwichedbetween the fastener and bracket 82. In the preferred embodiment theprotruding ends of the fasteners 86 used on the front bar 37 may bewing-shaped for easy adjustment, such that when tightened, they willprevent motion of the seat assembly by clamping bracket 82 via platemember 83 against the bar 37.

Returning to FIG. 1 and with reference also to FIGS. 3 and .4, it hasbeen noted previously that the instant invention provides a table traywhich is easily moveable between a storage position and a functionaltable tray position for providing a supported surface, which table trayremains connected to the chair assembly even during the movement of thetray between its two extreme positions. Such table tray is generallydesignated as reference numeral 90 in the Figures and is seen to includea table platform member 92 on the undersurface of which is providedfirst and second bars 94 and 96 respectively. As best seen in FIG. 3,the first bar 94 is generally U-shaped and includes: a first leg 98which is pivotally secured to the undersurface of the table platform 92by means of brackets 100 and 101; a central portion 102; and a somewhatlonger leg 104 which is adapted to be telescopically received by atubular receiving member 106 (FIG. 1) which is secured at opposite ends108 and 110 to the upright 24 and L-shaped member 26 respectively of theside frame 12.

The second bar 96 is rigidly'spaced away from the undersurface ofplatform 92 (as illustrated at 109) and is substantially shorter thanthe leg 104 of the bar 94. The bar'96 is telescopically received by theupper portion 105 of the generally L- shaped member of the side frame 12when the table tray assembly 90 is in its stored position.

Thus, and assuming that table tray assembly 90 occupies the positionshown in FIG. 4, it may be easily moved to its storage position bysimply sliding it in the direction of arrow 110 until the leg portion104 and the shorter bar 96 are both completely housed in theirrespective receiving tubes 106 and 105 respectively. To retain the tabletray assembly 90 in its first, storage position, there is provided aspring biased plunger 112 on the tubular member 106 (see FIG. 1) whichis adapted to pass a spring biased catch device 114 provided at the rearof the leg portion 104 when the table tray assembly reaches its rearmostextent of travel to thereby lock the tray assembly to this rearmostposition. The catch device 114 may be of the type described in my patent3,239,255 issued Mar. 8, I966.

To convert the table tray assembly 90 from the storage or nonusedposition, to its function position, the following steps are taken.First, the plunger 112 of FIG. 1 is lifted such that the catch devicemay pass thereunder when the table tray is withdrawn to the positionillustrated in FIG. 3. It should be noted that the catch device 114 onthe leg portion 104 is biasingly urged into an aperture 118 in the tubemember 106 to provide the outermost limiting position for the table trayassembly 90 as it is pulled out of the tubes 105 and 106 of the sideframe. It should also be noted that when the table tray assembly 90reaches the position of FIG. 3, the shorter rigid bar 96 secured to theundersurface of the table platform member 92 is free of its receivinghousing 105 while the longer leg portion 104 of the first bar 94 isstill retained in its respective tubular housing 106 by the catch device114. Also, it should be noted that the aperture 118 which receives thespring biased catch device 114 is actually an arcuate notch whichcircumvents a substantial arc of the tubular member 106 whereby althoughthe leg portion 104 is constrained from further linear movement, it isstill relatively free to rotate about its own axis.

Once the table tray 90 has reached a position where the rigid bar 96 isfree of its housing 105, the tray platform member 92 is grasped androtated in a direction of arrow 12 in FIG. 4 until it reaches the tabletray functional position illustrated in phantom at in FIG. 4. As will beappreciated, such movement of the tray assembly 90 is actuallyaffectuated through 2 of rotational movement. Specifically, the shorterleg 98 of the first bar 94 pivotally rotates with respect to the tableplatform member 92 (by way of the brackets and 101) and simultaneouslythe longer leg 104 of the bar 94 rotates about its own axis within itstubular housing 106. These two points of rotation are identified by thearrows 122 and 124 in FIG. 4.

When the table tray assembly 90 reaches the position illustrated inphantom FIG. 4, the shorter rigid bar 96 can be easily aligned with thehollow upper receiving portion 126 of the member 20 of the second sideframe 14 (see FIG. 1). At this point, the entire table tray 90 is thenslid rearwardly as viewed in FIG. 1 such that the shorter rigid bar 96is telescopically received within the hollow receiving portion 126 whilethe longer leg 104 of the first rigid bar 94 slides back into itsreceiving tube 106. It may be pointed out that the catch device 114which defines the outer limit of travel for the longer leg 104 (FIG. 3)is provided with a cammed back surface 130 such that rearward movementof the table tray assembly 90 does not have to be proceeded by a manualdefeat of the catch device 114 as described in my aforementioned patent3,239,255.

Preferably, the undersurface of the receiving tube 126 of the secondside frame 14 is provided with a spring biased plunger 128 which willbiasingly enter any one ofa plurality of apertures 131 provided on theundersurface of the shorter rigid bar 96 (FIG. 3). In this manner, thefinal resting position of the table tray, when it is in its functionalposition, can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the patientutilizing the chair.

It is important to appreciate and indeed it is an important aspect ofthe instant invention that even during the movement of the table trayassembly 90 between its storage or nonused position to its functionaltable top position, the table tray assembly 90 remains in a connectingrelationship with respect to the remainder of the chair. In this mannerand in contradistinction to the prior art, such table trays will notbecome misplaced and separated from the chair for which it is designed.

It should be noted that bracket 101 is so positioned longitudinally ontray platform member 92 that when the table tray assembly 90 is in thefully extended position, i.e., the catch device 114 is protruding fromaperture 118, bracket 101 is rearward of front tubular member 24, andthus when the table tray assembly is moved rearwardly to the storageposition bracket 101 will not scrape against front tubular member 24.Moreover, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, a stop member 124 ispositioned on leg 98 on each side of bracket 101 to prevent longitudinalmotion of the table platform 92 with respect to bar 94. Also illustratedin FIG. 3 (in phantom) and in FIG. 1, is a protruding stop 103 locatedon the leg 104 which is similar to stop 124 and which permits easyinsertion of the bar 96 into the receiving tube 105. That is to say,that the stop 103, which (as shown in FIG. 1) is located on theunderside of the table platform 92 when it is in the fully extendedposition, limits rotation of the table tray around arm 104 so that whenthe tray assembly 90 is against stop 103 and simultaneously movedrearwardly, the bar 96 is aligned with the tube and thereby easilyinserted therein.

From the above description, it will be further understood that theentire chair 10 is of knock-down construction. For example, as pointedout previously, the back 18 is removable from the side frame 12 and 114.The footrest assembly 42 can be detached from the chair by removing therigid bars 46 and 48 thereof from the housing tubes 40; and the ottoman72 is removable from the rigid bars 46, 48. Also the table tray assembly90 can be detached by defeating the catch device 114 (FIG. 3) andwithdrawing the leg portion 104 of the U-shaped bar 94 from its housingtube 106. Finally, the seat assembly 16 may be removed from the sideframes 12 and 14 by removing the fasteners 34.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only apreferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to coverall changes and modifications of the example of the invention hereinchosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitutedepartures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a chair of the type wherein a seat means and a back means arefastened between a pair of side frame means and a table tray is adaptedto move from a storage position alongside a first of said pair of sideframe means to a tablelike position before an occupant of said chair,said table tray being detachably coupled to said first side frame meansduring both said storage and tablelike positions by a U-shaped swingablesupporting element mounted to the underside of said table tray, theimprovement comprising,

a support element rigidly mounted to the underside of said table trayspaced from said U-shaped element and detachably coupled to said firstside frame means in said storage position and adapted to engage a secondof said pair of said frame means when said table tray is swung on saidU-shaped supporting element from said storage position to said tablelikeposition.

2. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said first side frame meansincludes a first and second hollow receiving means for telescopicallyreceiving respectively one leg of said U-shaped element and said rigidlymounted table support element when said table tray is in said storageposition, and said second side frame means include a single hollowreceiving means for receiving said rigidly mounted table support elementwhen said table tray is in said tablelike position.

3. The chair as recited in claim 2 wherein said leg of said U- shapedelement received in said first hollow receiving means is longer thansaid rigidly mounted table-support element.

4. The chair as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said side frame meansinclude an armrest and wherein the armrest on said first side framemeans includes said second hollow receiving means and said armrest onsaid second side frame means includes said single hollow receivingmeans.

5. The chair as recited in claim I wherein said seat means is removablyconnected to said first and second side frame means.

6. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said back means is removablyconnected to said first and second side frame means.

7. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat means comprises arigid seat support base and a seat portion slidably mounted with respectto said seat support base and said back means.

8. The chair as recited in claim 7 wherein said rigid seat support baseincludes at least two spaced-apart rigid bars each connected onrespective opposite ends thereof to said first and second side framemeans, and said seat portion includes at least one depending bracketwhich is adapted to loosely sandwich at least one of said rigid bars tosaid seat portion where by said seat may slidably travel between thelongitudinal ends of said bracket.

9. The chair as recited in claim 8 further including at least one pairof stop means secured in one of said rigid bars at opposite lateralsides of said depending bracket whereby said depending bracket issandwiched between said stop means to prevent lateral displacement ofsaid seat portion.

10. The chair as recited in claim 9 wherein said stop means areadjustable to clamp said depending bracket against one of said rigidbars whereby said seat portion is prevented from moving with respect tosaid back and side frame means.

11. The chair as recited in claim 7 further including track meansfastened to said seat portion and adapted to slide on said rigid barswhen an occupant of said chair desires to change the position of saidseat portion with respect to said back means and side frame means.

12. The chair as recited in claim 1 further including a footrestassembly having at least a first and a second rigid bar between which issupported a foot support platform and wherein said first and second sideframe means each include lower hollow receiving means, said first andsecond rigid bars of said footrest assembly being telescopically andslidably received by said lower hollow receiving means of said first andsecond side frame means; and further including ottoman means having acushioned portion and plurality of depending legs each terminating in abifurcated attaching member, said bifurcated attaching member adapted tofrictionally secure said depending legs to said first and second rigidbars of said footrest assembly.

13. In a chair of the type wherein a seat means and a back means arefastened between a pair of side frame means, the improvement comprising,

a rigid seat support base having at least two spaced-apart rigid barseach adapted to have their respective opposite ends coupled to each ofsaid side frame means, and

wherein said seat means includes at least one depending bracket which isadapted to loosely sandwich at least one of said rigid bars to said seatmeans whereby said seat means may slidably travel longitudinally betweenthe ends of the said bracket.

14. The chair as recited in claim 13 further including at least one pairof stop means secured in one of said rigid bars at opposite lateralsides of said depending bracket whereby said depending bracket issandwiched between said stop means to prevent lateral displacement of,said seat means.

15. The chair as recited in claim 14 wherein said stop means areadjustable to clamp said depending bracket against one of said rigidbars whereby said seat means is prevented from moving with respect tosaid back and side frame means.

16. The chair as recited in claim 13 further including track meansfastened to said seat means and adapted to slide on said rigid bars whenan occupant of said chair desires to change the position of said seatmeans with respect to said back means and side frame means.

1. In a chair of the type wherein a seat means and a back means arefastened between a pair of side frame means and a table tray is adaptedto move from a storage position alongside a first of said pair of sideframe means to a tablelike position before an occupant of said chair,said table tray being detachably coupled to said first side frame meansduring both said storage and tablelike positions by a U-shaped swingablesupporting element mounted to the underside of said table tray, theimprovement comprising, a support element rigidly mounted to theunderside of said table tray spaced from said U-shaped element anddetachably coupled to said first side frame means in said storageposition and adapted to engage a second of said pair of said frame meanswhen said table tray is swung on said U-shaped supporting element fromsaid storage position to said tablelike position.
 2. The chair asrecited in claim 1 wherein said first side frame means includes a firstand second hollow receiving means for telescopically receivingrespectively one leg of said U-shaped element and said rigidly mountedtable support element when said table tray is in said storage position,and said second side frame means include a single hollow receiving meansfor receiving said rigidly mounted table support element when said tabletray is in said tablelike position.
 3. The chair as recited in claim 2wherein said leg of said U-shaped eLement received in said first hollowreceiving means is longer than said rigidly mounted table-supportelement.
 4. The chair as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said sideframe means include an armrest and wherein the armrest on said firstside frame means includes said second hollow receiving means and saidarmrest on said second side frame means includes said single hollowreceiving means.
 5. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said seatmeans is removably connected to said first and second side frame means.6. The chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said back means is removablyconnected to said first and second side frame means.
 7. The chair asrecited in claim 1 wherein said seat means comprises a rigid seatsupport base and a seat portion slidably mounted with respect to saidseat support base and said back means.
 8. The chair as recited in claim7 wherein said rigid seat support base includes at least twospaced-apart rigid bars each connected on respective opposite endsthereof to said first and second side frame means, and said seat portionincludes at least one depending bracket which is adapted to looselysandwich at least one of said rigid bars to said seat portion wherebysaid seat may slidably travel between the longitudinal ends of saidbracket.
 9. The chair as recited in claim 8 further including at leastone pair of stop means secured in one of said rigid bars at oppositelateral sides of said depending bracket whereby said depending bracketis sandwiched between said stop means to prevent lateral displacement ofsaid seat portion.
 10. The chair as recited in claim 9 wherein said stopmeans are adjustable to clamp said depending bracket against one of saidrigid bars whereby said seat portion is prevented from moving withrespect to said back and side frame means.
 11. The chair as recited inclaim 7 further including track means fastened to said seat portion andadapted to slide on said rigid bars when an occupant of said chairdesires to change the position of said seat portion with respect to saidback means and side frame means.
 12. The chair as recited in claim 1further including a footrest assembly having at least a first and asecond rigid bar between which is supported a foot support platform andwherein said first and second side frame means each include lower hollowreceiving means, said first and second rigid bars of said footrestassembly being telescopically and slidably received by said lower hollowreceiving means of said first and second side frame means; and furtherincluding ottoman means having a cushioned portion and plurality ofdepending legs each terminating in a bifurcated attaching member, saidbifurcated attaching member adapted to frictionally secure saiddepending legs to said first and second rigid bars of said footrestassembly.
 13. In a chair of the type wherein a seat means and a backmeans are fastened between a pair of side frame means, the improvementcomprising, a rigid seat support base having at least two spaced-apartrigid bars each adapted to have their respective opposite ends coupledto each of said side frame means, and wherein said seat means includesat least one depending bracket which is adapted to loosely sandwich atleast one of said rigid bars to said seat means whereby said seat meansmay slidably travel longitudinally between the ends of the said bracket.14. The chair as recited in claim 13 further including at least one pairof stop means secured in one of said rigid bars at opposite lateralsides of said depending bracket whereby said depending bracket issandwiched between said stop means to prevent lateral displacement ofsaid seat means.
 15. The chair as recited in claim 14 wherein said stopmeans are adjustable to clamp said depending bracket against one of saidrigid bars whereby said seat means is prevented from moving with respectto said back and side frame means.
 16. The chair as recited in claim 13further including track means fastened to Said seat means and adapted toslide on said rigid bars when an occupant of said chair desires tochange the position of said seat means with respect to said back meansand side frame means.